Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-04-23
FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
MEETING or THE ANNUAL coNvEN.
TON At NEW YORK.

AhO Ot0tO " OtMAA 0uMEUBO ASSOCIATION Al
Session TO Transact Important Business.
Tho Future Relations Of the Association.
Election Of Onicers.
NEW York, April 2A-The eighteenth an
Woman Suffrage association opened yester-
day at Masonic Temple, and will continue
several days. The host important business
to be considered is probably the future rela-
dons of the association to the leading politi-
cal parties, both Of which they claim are
anxious to conciliate them There is gem
eral feeling in favor of Socialism, but Mrs
Lille Devereaux Blake, the present presi-
dent, believes II to the advantage Of the
movement to continue it, independent atti-
tude.
The principal feature Of this meeting after
the routine work Of credentials, etc. was the
afternoon discussion Of the election of Of
ficers for the ensuing year. The association Is
composed of delegates from each county Of
the state, headed by the local vice president Of
convention. Mrs. Blake is president; Mrs
Matilda Joslyn Gage, Of Oneida county, first
vice president; Susan B. Anthony, second
vice president; Mary Seymour Howell, Of
Albany, secretary; Clara Neyman, CORE
spending secretary; Charlotte F. Daley, re-
cording secretary; Miss Jennie McAdam, OF
Winchester, treasurer. This morning re-
porter called at Masonic Temple, where bust
ness was to begin at 10 o'clock. He expected
to see the large hall filed to overflowing with
an enthusiastic throng. Evidently some
thing was the matter. Signs of discord were
visible. Approaching group of ladies who
where in earnest discussion, the reporter ven-
tured the remark that the meeting would in
all probability be an interesting one. Said
one of the party: Eyes. We have had
about enough Of this one-woman power. The
association has been for years run in the in
terest Of its president, Lille Devereaux
Blake, and now it il proposed to break the
ring"
Another lady at this moment approached,
and proved to be Mrs. Leonard, mother OF
Lillian Russell, the actress Said she:
when was in Albany last fall visiting my
daughter, and was speaking t. one of the
state senators Of our move ment, he said
there were only seven women in the state of
New York who desired women suffrage.
This is the result of the public regarding the
movement as a mere CLIQUE. The faces Of
those in authority have become SO familiar
that those to whom they appeal consider
there are only a small number connected
with the association
The house is evidently divided against
itself, and interesting develo pmentS are
expected. Mrs. Blake was sought out by the
reporters for an explanation. She declared
that the greatest harmony exists in the asso-
citation, and their is not the slightest emol,l-
ment connected with any Of the offices. The
officers, she claimed have much to do and
ought to be selected from the best fitted for
the work. She had herself made it rule to
visit every county in the state at least once
year at her own expense. The election Of
officers will take place tomorrow. -
AS the reporter was leaving the hall, he
encountered Mrs. Twitchell, the leader OF the
opposition to Mrs Blake This lady is war
to the knife She says the way the associa-
ton is managed is outrageous; that she is a
representative of the Brooklyn committee
and is entitled to q seat, but that before she
can exert her privilege she is obliged to pay
81. While she was speaking lady came
out Of the side room and announc ed that the
executive session was about to begin, and ali
those who were not already members should
come forward and pay their dollar and
join the meeting. Mrs. Twitchell said: aDo
you he ar thatl have been q member Of
good many organizations, and this is the first
time ! ever saw parliamentary body go
into executive session before the general con-
vention had been opened; but that is just the
way this thing Il conducted. No bylaws,
no constitution, no system. You may ex-
pect to see an indignation meeting if this
thing continues much longer"
Mrs. Leonard then came rushing from the
little corner crying: Come, all Of you.
There is the place for action. We can do
nothing, here" The group OF ladies who
had gathered around the reporter filed into
the little room to join issues with Mrs
Blake and her forces. Tho meeting late in
the afternoon was open to the public. Rev.